"I don't remember, so I can't vouch, but I am told by my loving parents that I've had a spirited affection for the piano since I was in diapers (just months ago). I would allegedly jump up and down in the church pew, tongue wagging, while I pointed at the piano burbling, 'Doo-doo, doo-doo!' I guess that the more things change, the more they stay the same."

Jonathan Noel was born in a small New England town, in 1972, and as soon as he was able to reach the keys of a church piano, he was hooked. At age eleven, he began playing piano at a nearby retirement home. "Who but God would choose the four walls of a room, surrounded by loving, weathered faces, as the soil for His gifts to ripen in." By age fourteen, Jonathan was playing piano and singing in his church's worship services, every time the doors were open.

From 1990 to 1994, he attended Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois. There, Jonathan continued to lead worship and was later instrumental in the initiation of student led worship in the college's chapel services. Between classes, studying and worship leading, he began writing, recording, and playing his original music at local venues, along with fellow students Sarah Jahn and future Jars Of Clay members Charlie Lowell and Stephen Mason. Jonathan graduated with a degree in Youth Ministry and Music.

In the early part of 1995, Jonathan loaded up his rusty '83 Saab, and moved to Nashville, TN. It was shortly after this move that he had the opportunity to play a Summer festival tour with the mighty husband and wife duo, Out of the Grey. "It was an honor, for me, to have the chance to play with one of my favorite bands. It was pretty dreamy, being fresh out of school and on the road with such talented people. They took care of me- like a younger brother."

In August of that year, Jonathan received a call to play a short tour in South Africa and Australia with another artist that he greatly respected; Ms. Margaret Becker. For the next five years, Jonathan made up one third of Margaret's concert band. "Working along side of Margaret significantly altered my perspective of music, Christianity, and how the two relate. No fluff, no pretense, no over- playing. Honesty and brokenness, as well as a healthy respect for self and others, are essential along this road."

In early 1998, Jonathan celebrated the release of his debut indie album entitled, "HAND." "Recording HAND was a life changing event, for me. In order to compose songs that I would feel passionate about, I had to look in the mirror and write what I saw. It was a beautifully painful experience." The album features the musical spoils of Margaret Becker, Greenville pals- Steve Mason & Charlie Lowell, PFR's Patrick Andrew, Jeff Quimby, and other amazing talents. With his new album in hand, Jonathan began performing wherever and with whomever he could.

In October of 1999, Jonathan's most fulfilling life event happened, when he married his soul mate, Amanda Washington. He met Amanda while playing keyboards on her 1997 demo recording entitled, THE JOURNEY. The two began dating in early '98 and the rest is, as they say, history.

In the Spring of 2000, Jonathan signed on, as band leader/keyboards/backing vocalist, for the Fernando Ortega HOME TOUR, featuring Margaret Becker. Jonathan once again found himself surrounded by incredible talent. "Fernando's music connected with my soul the first time I heard it. Playing the music, with Fernando, and being a part of his ministry, is nothing short of a blessing."

Jonathan continues to tour and is scheduled to open for Fernando Ortega's Spring 2001 tour. Between concerts, he is currently writing and recording material for a late 2001/early 2002 album release.

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